The pirate cannon 4/7

Jennifer Jane was really enjoying herself. Abigail had quickly run through the safety rules governing the use of a flying broom and watched as Jennifer Jane made a few practice flights. 'Circuits and bumps,' she'd called them.

"You should be alright anyway, your protective spell still applies but you might as well learn how to keep out of trouble if you can."

Jennifer Jane had noticed a spell box secured to the broom just in front of her.

"It's a modification of your 'Broomstick Breakdown' idea," said Abigail. "Instead of waiting for a fairy to come and rescue you if you break down, all you have to do is open the spell box and the broom automatically re-glitters itself. Saves a lot of time in the Wish Warehouse and we can easily replace the spell when it's been used."

Because she was a human apprentice and only allowed to fly in the alternate world, a special rule had been made that she must sign for her broom and write down her intended destination whenever she went out. Jennifer Jane thought for a moment.

"I've always wanted to see the giant's castle on top of the hill past Tornak's cave. I noticed it the first time I saw Esmerelda and Dulcibella but before now it would have taken too long to get there."

She signed the book with her first entry, then both Abigail and the witch on guard duty waved as she flew off. She was too excited to notice her mother walking slowly towards the drawbridge. Esme and Dulce looked up and waved as she zoomed over their heads and then she was over the tree tops and past Tornak's cave.

It didn't take very long to arrive at the castle and she hovered just in front of the door at the correct height to reach the door knocker. She was just strong enough to be able to pull it and let go. Apparently it had made a loud enough noise, as she could hear some one inside coming. A slide in the door opened and she could see a pair of giant eyes looking out.

"Nobody there. dratted kids!"

"I'm down here," called Jennifer Jane and then slowly flew a little higher until she was on a level with the eyes.

"You're that Jennifer Jane kid aren't you?" said the giant. "I had enough trouble with you before. Now you've gone and messed things up with the folk round here and there's nothing left for me to eat. I'm starving, it's alright for the dragons to eat coal, but what am I supposed to do? Just clear off, if I let you in you'll probably kill me like you did my mate Lurgin"

"I don't want to hurt you," said Jennifer Jane, "I'd just like to come in and have a look round your castle. I've never seen inside a giant's castle before."

"Shan't," said the giant, "I'm safe while I keep this door shut, so you can just go away and let me starve in peace."

"If you let me in I might be able to help you with your food problem."

"H'm," said the giant, "nice idea but I still don't believe you, stay there and tell me your idea and if I like it, I might let you in to discuss details."

Jennifer Jane hovered quietly for a moment while the giant's eyes continued to watch her. She was thinking of all the castles and stately homes that the family visited on holiday when they weren't sailing. Very often they had to pay to get in. Surely if she wanted to see the giant's castle, then other people would as well. Most of the local villagers in fact, once they were convinced it would be safe.

"How about letting people come in and look round your home and charge them for the privilege. The fee needn't be money, it could be your favourite sorts of food, apart from peasants of course," she added.

"How do you suppose a few peasants would be able to bring enough food to give me a decent meal?" asked the giant.

Jennifer Jane thought again. She'd had a similar problem with the giant at the pool in her own world. The only time he reckoned he'd had a decent meal, was when he'd been reduced to human size by magic so that he could come to her party.

Then the answer came to her. If the giant couldn't be reduced to human size, why not make the payments of food grow larger by magic. She was quite sure the witches would be able to manage something fairly easily.

She told the giant her idea.

"Sounds alright if it works. How do I know I can trust you?"

"I'm a qualified apprentice witch," said Jennifer Jane, "look, I've been hovering here on my broomstick for the last ten minutes and I'd like to come in and rest, I'm getting tired."

The giant looked down at the ground. "So you are," he said, "alright, as you're an apprentice witch from the Gate I'll trust you" and he opened the door.